empatheias-related || deaging PSL

Not because of the too-big clothes -- he's used to getting hand-me-downs from foster brothers (or sisters) and having to roll the sleeves and legs up a few times to make them fit. The fact that these clothes seem to be made for someone twice his size doesn't cause more than a minute or so of confusion before he's sighing and dealing with it.

And not because of the unfamiliar surroundings -- Takashi's lived so many places that it's not uncommon for him not to recognize the latest apartment or house's surroundings right after waking up. Even though...after he rubs at his eyes with the heels of his hands and frowns around a little, the place still doesn't look familiar. Maybe he's getting sick.

No, the weirdest thing is that there's a dog here. Takashi's been in a lot of different homes in his almost-seven years, and he's almost completely certain none of them have had a dog in it. It's a very cute dog, small and shaggy, with big brown eyes and a fluffy tail. But it's also barking at him, and trying to bite his ankles, so Takashi quickly scrambles off the couch, tugging the too-big shirt around himself and running for the nearest door.

Since Frog was still borrowing Natsume's couch for a bed at this point, the amphibian-person also had a presence in the apartment. He was about to leave for the day but returned briefly to pick up forgotten provisions.

...what he didn't expect to see when he returned was a small child in too-big clothes who looked... eerily familiar. He peers at the boy for a short while before coming to a conclusion.

Remember how normal teenage Natsume has nice manners and is always polite and respectful? Yeah apparently that's something he had to work to develop, because the second he sees Frog, he lets out a loud, high-pitched yelp and scrambles as far away as he possibly can.

But then again, to be fair, he likely assumes Frog is some sort of mean spirit, because he hunches down against the wall, trembling and stutters out, "G-Go away! Leave m-me alone! D-Don't hurt m-me!"

The reaction isn't totally surprising to Frog, considering... well, he looks like a giant frog-person. He would imagine many small children would find that alarming. Still, it doesn't stop him from feeling guilty that he's scaring the poor lad just by existing...

Frog comes a little closer, but not too close, and kneels down in front of the boy. He doesn't want to trap him or give him cause to believe he was, in fact, going to hurt him in any way.

"I mean thee no harm, lad. Though my form is that of a frog, I am no monster. Pray, tell me thy name."

Look, he's even smiling! He hopes that looks friendly and not creepy at all...

'One of those monsters?' So it was commonplace for him to see such things? It's then Frog recalls a rather older boy who could see 'ghosts' or at least something like it. Could this child also be afflicted with the same curse? Or... maybe...

"I take no pleasure in bullying children," he replies, knowingly, as he was subject to torment himself at his age, albeit it by other humans. And slowly, he offers a friendly hand. It's entirely up to him if he wants to take it or not. "I am a friend... and I am beginning to wonder if we may have met before. Dost thou not remember me?"

Despite his slowly decreasing anxiety, the boy doesn't take the offered hand just yet, tensing a little every time Frog moves. The question gets a confused, desperate look.

"I-I don't...I don't know w-where I am. I-I can't remember a-anything, I just woke up a-and this shirt is too big." This last comment is delivered with a miserable look down at the garment, which Israel only item of clothing beside the too-long socks that he has on. The shirt is distinctive, patterned with autumn leaves. Perhaps Frog recognizes it...

Frog retracts that hand and tries to be as still as he can... evidently the boy was still on edge, and who could blame him if he expected to be treated so cruelly? At his explanation though, Frog is becoming more and more confused himself. That shirt was definitely familiar... so was the boy... but if this was really who he thought it was then how did he suddenly become younger?

Whatever the reason, the poor kid needed reassurance and security right now. Maybe he wasn't the best person, frog-person, to give it to him, but he would try as much as he would let him.

"I know not how thou came to be this way, but I am certain I know thee... Natsume. Takashi Natsume. Is that thy name?"

Natsume blinks a couple times, eyes wide with surprise and bewilderment. Usually the monsters don't know his name, or even care what it is. Then again, they don't usually talk to him for this long either. So, slowly, he'll nod, hugging his knees up to his chest and blinking curiously at Frog.

Then it was true? How odd... it seemed this place held many more secrets that Frog was unaware of. In any case, Natsume seems to have calmed a little, some of that fear replaced with surprise instead. Frog still doesn't dare move any closer, but sits exactly where he is, keeping that distance between them.

"Ah, mine name is... Frog," he says, realising how strange that must sound - even moreso to a small child. "Mayhap I do not appear as a normal frog, but... there is naught to be afraid of."

Even if he was carrying a sword. He hoped Natsume wouldn't see that as a sign that Frog really could be potentially dangerous. Hrm, let's try and keep the focus off of that.

"Thou hast found thyself in a strange land known as Empatheias. This is the city of Verens... and this is thine new dwelling place. I am sure thou shalt find thyself in a much more comfortable state once we have found thee more... fitting clothes."

The tiny version of Natsume shifts a little bit, nervous still, but his curiosity rapidly overrides that. With a confused scrunch of his nose, he ventures -- "Why is your name just...Frog? My name isn't just "Person". How come you don't get another name too?"

All those place names sort of go in one ear and out the other, and Natsume tucks further in on himself, starting to look anxious again. "I...live alone? Nobody...nobody wanted me?"

There's an awkward pause at that as Frog tries to think of a suitable answer. He's not going to launch into details about what had happened to him - it would only pose more questions, or unnerve poor little Natsume even more. How to explain... No, there was nothing for it. He would just have to be honest.

"I did once have another name... Glenn. If it suits thee better, please... call me by it."

It wasn't a lie and at least it gave the child a choice. The way Natsume shrinks at the news of his new location, no matter how much he took in, leads Frog to grow ever more concerned, however.

"And no, thou art not alone. Though I am really merely a visitor, thou shalt find kind people living below. Should thou need help or company, thou art welcome here."

Natsume smiles a little bit, a tiny, unsure, but still present smile. "Okay. Um, thank you for...not being mean, Mr. Glenn," he says, almost shyly, looking down at his knees. He's distinctly less nervous than before, scooting out one foot to curiously prod at Frog's, like he needs to make sure he's not some sort of dream.

Hearing about the neighbors reassures him somewhat, though he still has a very confused expression. "But...who do I belong to?"

Really Natsume, did you really have to thank him for just being nice...? How sad. Frog doesn't respond to that prodding either, allowing the boy to sense things out. Yes, he is very much real, whether that was seen as a bad thing or not!

It was good to see the child beginning to relax, if only just a little, but Frog falters at his next question. Even when he was older, Frog knew nothing about Natsume's parents or any other members of his family. Trying to explain that to a lost little boy...

"I... I am afraid I know not who thine family is. Still, there is no reason why thou cannot belong to thyself! Thou art a strong lad."

He's trying to spin this in a positive light, but he's not sure if it's really helping...

Beware, this is the saddest cutest child to ever exist on this earthly plane, Frog. Still, as soon as Natsume is sure that foot-poking is allowed, he'll scoot even closer and pat gently at the shiny boots. He's pretty sure you're not allowed to wear shoes inside, but maybe since this is his house he can make the rules? If that's true, then Glenn the nice frog can wear whatever he wants.

Thanks for trying, but Natsume's face falls a little more and he sighs, curling in on himself and looking extremely woeful. "I'm...all by myself? I can't be all by myself. I'm six." He says this somewhat sternly, because he knows rules and laws and things.

It was rather strange to have a small child suddenly scoot closer and start patting away at your feet, but Frog was happy to see the boy coming out of his shell. That anyone should even wish to touch him in his current form was a pleasant surprise, particularly one so small and so afraid of that which appeared unnatural...

There was still the problem of Natsume's current position however. He couldn't very well leave him alone and he couldn't give him an answer as to the whereabouts of his parents either. He's not sure if his offer will be met with much relief, but he has to try.

"...I hath been using thy seat as a bed since mine own home collapsed in a quake. I cannot replace thy parents but... I am here for thee, Natsume. Thou art not alone."

Natsume frowns for a moment, reaching up and wiping at his eyes with his too-long sleeves, getting rid of any residual tears. He's much calmer now, and will even roll onto his knees and shuffle closer. It takes him some time to figure out Frog's way of talking, brow furrowed in confusion, because he sounds like someone in a movie.

But he finally figures it out, eyes widening a little, hopefully. "You're...gonna take care of me?" he ventures hopefully, reaching out and grasping Frog's hand with his tiny ones.

Frog is aware that his way of speaking isn't familiar to most of the people he's met here, so it would be no surprise to him if a six-year-old would find it a little difficult to process... Still, Natsume seems to be doing well in that regard and can at least understand enough to work out what he was saying!

...which was to say... well, he hadn't quite meant he would literally take him under his wing, but that hopeful look in his eyes and the little hands clasping his own make it very difficult to say otherwise. He hesitates, not sure what to really say to that, but...

...all right, Frog can't help but give a chuckle at that and was now smiling himself, good job Natsume!

Although did he just say 'not feed him' if he was bad? Was that really something he expected from a responsible adult? The smile doesn't fade entirely, but Frog's still looking sympathetically at the kid. Just what kind of environment had Natsume grown up in... and how had he turned out so kind despite it?

"Thou art a healthy growing lad and shalt have a hearty meal each night with me! Alas, I expect thee to eat thy vegetables readily, though if green beans art not to thy taste... I am sure we can seeketh out an alternative.

Hmm... books art also a gift to one so young and provide much knowledge. However, thy mind can only hold so much each day. Be sure to rest when thou needeth it."

There's quite a bit of tragic backstory hidden behind teenager!Natsume's usually composed expression, and clearly this younger version isn't as careful about hiding it. Perhaps this is just what he's used to, and he assumes it's something that happens to everyone. Either way, he's momentarily distracted by patting curiously at Frog's fingers, because they're sort of squishy and awesome.

Then, with a sigh that contains all the weariness a six-year-old can hold: "Beans are gross. They're slimy and...they're gross."

It's the way he talks about it with a sense of normality that really touches Frog's heart. No child should believe that such cruelties are a 'normal' part of growing up. There would always be hardships yes but... there was no excuse for neglect. Even Cyrus, who believed him to be too soft-hearted, would surely agree with him in this case.

O-oh um, well now they weren't just holding hands - Frog's moist amphibious hands were being gently patted at. He's not quite sure exactly what he should do in response to this, so opts to stretch out those sort-of-squishy fingers, palm up, and allow Natsume whatever curiosity he needs to get out of his system.

As for the beans... well, poor Frog tenses a little at the child's words. Coming from anyone else, he might feel that it was him being talked about.

"Ah, yes... but sometimes 'tis the most unpleasant of foods which art the healthiest for us. Hast thou tried cabbage? Carrots? Parsnips?"

Unfortunately for Frog, Natsume is a never-ending fount of curiosity, and will express this by setting his little hands on top of the outstretched ones and wiggle his fingers, eyes widening when he sees how small his are compared to the squishy green ones. Then he giggles, which is...adorable, let's be real here, it's absolutely precious.

"I like carrots," he allows, carefully, scrunching his nose. "What's a par-snip?"

S-so cute, Natsume. Even someone as stalwart as Frog can't help but feel a fondness for the child as he explores his new companion out of fascination rather than fear. Frog gives a croaking chuckle in response to Natsume's giggling... as well as his supposed unfamiliarity with the word 'parsnip'. Such a common vegetable and Natsume had never come across it before?

"A parsnip is... somewhat like a carrot, in fact. A pale, white carrot, stronger of flavour and heavier in texture. 'tis not commonly liked by young children, but thou cannot know if thou liketh it unless thou try it!"

Now that he's thoroughly catalogued the shape and size of Frog's hands, Natsume will move on to the next logical step in getting to know him -- climbing onto his knees and reaching to pat his face. There's still that gentleness and care, but he's only six okay, what is personal space?

"Are they icky? I'm sort of hungry and I'll eat some snips if they aren't really icky and gross."

[O-OH hello small child suddenly reaching up to pat at Frog's face. The frogman can't help but flinch back out of instinct, trying to dodge the little hands - he wasn't really used to people just coming up and poking at him. In fact, most people ran the other way.]

Ah... yes... well, I am afraid I hath none on my person presently. But, if thou art hungry, we should go to the kitchen and see what we can find. There may be bread and fruit, and many other things to dine on!